HAMLET PROJECT
McKenna Misko
“Hallelujah” sang by Matthew Schuler
I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you.
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
There was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah
“Hallelujah” originally written by Leonard Cohen, and made famous by Jeff Buckley is arguably one of the best songs that fits Claudius’ emotional state in Act 3 scene 3. Claudius says, “O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven…A brother’s murder. Pray can I not, Though inclination be as sharp as will. My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent…But O, what form of prayer can serve my turn? “Forgive me my foul murder?”…Help, angels! Make assay” (Act 3. iii 40-42, 55-56, 73). In this scene, Claudius pleas and asks for forgiveness. He feels guilty for murdering his brother. The song Hallelujah best represents this scene because Hallelujah means “God be praised” or "Glory to the Lord". It’s typically uttered in worship.